Does the Bible have anything to say about how we spend our time?
I think the bottom line in identifying the Biblical answer to this question, is found by understanding how to live our lives wisely!
Here’s what Paul says in Ephesians 5:15-18, “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Paul also says this in Colossians 4:5-6, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
None of us knows how much time we’ll have on this earth, and we would be wise to pay attention to what James 4:13-16 encourages us to do, “ Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.”
It’s imperative that we recognize that the Bible teaches we are saved by grace and not by working our way to heaven by ‘being a good’ or a moral person. At the same time, it’s equally important to realize that what we do with the time the Lord allows us to live here and now, matters for all eternity!
Unlike unbeliever’s who reject Christ’s free offer of salvation by choosing to pay the price for their own sins once they die … those who said “Yes” to Jesus in their lifetime will be judged at what’s known as ‘The judgment seat of Christ’ after they die to determine the rewards they’ll receive once they enter the eternal heaven. Here’s what Paul specifically says about that in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, “But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will be clearly shown; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work. If any person’s work which he has built remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward. But if any person’s work is burned up, he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”
I think Titus 3:4-8 sums up very nicely what the Bible has to say about what we do with our time and ultimately our lives: “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.”